Work is stressful. Regardless of job type, most people have had some experience of the negative and potentially debilitating effects of work-related stress. Work stress can take many forms: feeling overwhelmed by the tasks you have to complete in a day, a week, or a month; feeling intimidated or bullied by superiors or colleagues; feeling overworked, underpaid, or burnt out; or just simply feeling exhausted by the pressure to reach targets. Left unchecked, work stress can produce a host of negative side-effects, from mild lethargy and loss of motivation to severe anxiety and depression. Dealing with work stress can be challenging for anyone, but if you happen to suffer from bipolar disorder, then work stress has the potential to be even more problematic.

Sufferers often find that because of bipolar's cycle of ups and downs they're already more sensitive to even the mildest stressors in their work environments. As a bipolar sufferer looking to develop effective coping skills and resources for managing work-related stress, it's vital that you strive to achieve a work/life balance, that you introduce structure, routine and variety into your lifestyle, and that you employ strategies while you're at work to keep you positive and to help you through the day.

Achieving a work/life balance means making sure that you're not bringing work home with you, and that your life, when you're not at work, is rich and satisfying. Engaging in a variety of activities and pursuits that encourage health and fitness, social interaction, and general enjoyment makes letting go of the stress you experience at work easier. Exercising, playing team sport, catching up with friends, getting involved in cultural and creative activities, and generally being active can all help to promote a more positive, balanced outlook, which can only work in your favour when it comes to managing the combination of work stress and bipolar.

The introduction of structure and routine into your life is another way to promote a healthy work/life balance. Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday, eat healthy meals, get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and stick to your medication plan. For the hours that you're at work, remember to take scheduled breaks. Use your lunch hour in a positive way; try to get away from the building if you can; sit in a park; listen to your ipod; take a walk; exercise if you've got time; read a book; spend time with people you like, or on your own if you need time to unwind. Simple, practical strategies like these can help minimise daily work stress and keep you focused and productive while you're there.

While it's impossible to completely avoid work-related stress, it is possible to be better prepared for it. By understanding that as a bipolar sufferer you're more prone to experiencing the negative effects of work stress, you can put in place strategies to help you stay on top of things. Achieving a successful work/life balance, maintaining structure, routine and variety in your life, and modifying the way you manage your work day can be a great help in moderating the negative effects of both work stress and bipolar, and can help you to live a positive, productive and satisfying life both at work and at home.